Punzel is a tall, skinny lad with a widow's peak and curly
black hair, close-cropped and uncombed, and smooth, freckled
skin. He is wearing a pair of pants, a shirt, a cloak, a pair
of boots and a cap.
Punzel weeps unconsolably.
The dry air of this large hayloft is filled with the dust and
the scent of hay. On the north side, a small bit of light
filters around the outline of a square barn door. In the dim
light, you can see dusty cobwebs hanging down from the dark
creaking rafters overhead. Some ancient bales of hay sit in a
pile here. A few rickety wooden steps lead up to an oak door in
the northwest corner.
Punzel is lying on a huge hay pile. A huge hay pile and a cat are
standing near a ladder down to the stable. A courier is
standing near the door in the northwest corner.
Artegal arrives through a ladder down to the stable.
Punzel weeps.
Punzel glances at Artegal.
Artegal glances concernedly at Punzel.
Artegal is a tall, stalwart man with with a full head of wavy
black hair, short and worn in a crew cut, and alabaster skin.
He is carrying Artegal's scroll and Artegal's roll. He is
wearing a pair of boots, a pair of pants, a tunic and a cloak.
Artegal asks, "Ser, are you unwell?"
Punzel shakes his head, "Nay, ser."
Punzel weeps unconsolably.
Artegal asks, "What has happened? How have you come to be in
such a state?"
Punzel shakes his head, "I cannot tell you, ser."
Punzel smiles tearily.
Punzel apologetically shakes his head.
Punzel weeps.
Artegal nods to Punzel, "Very well, but tell me how I may be of help"
Punzel smiles hesitantly at Artegal.
Artegal gazes seriously at Punzel.
Punzel asks uncertainly, "Help? ... Perhaps you could tell me a
tale, to take my mind off my woes?"
Punzel glances tearfully at Artegal.
Artegal asks, "I... tell a tale? I am no speaker of tales."
Punzel glances regretfully at Artegal.
Punzel nods sadly.
Artegal says, "But I am sorry to see you come to such a state,
Ser. You seemed so happy the last time I saw you."
Punzel nods woefully.
Punzel weeps.
Artegal sighs.
Punzel weeps, "I do apologize, ser."
Artegal says, "I... had a son. In my former life. I cannot
remember his face. But I think that perhaps he was somewhat
like thee."
Artegal frowns thoughtfully.
Punzel glances sympathetically at Artegal.
Punzel rubs his pair of grey eyes.
Punzel sniffs.
Punzel rubs his set of fine cheeks.
Punzel smiles hesitantly.
Artegal says, "You will be well, Punzel. I am sure of it. And
you will put to rights what ever has put thee out of sorts."
Punzel suggests uncertainly, "Perhaps you could tell me what you
remember about your son?"
Punzel admits, "I like tales ... I am a poet."
Punzel blushes.
Punzel rubs his pair of grey eyes.
Artegal rubs his neck, "Ah, it seems so distant... but I will try."
Punzel nods gratefully.
Artegal gazes at the hayloft roof.
Artegal says, "I remember that my people were a warlike tribe,
but that the wars we fought were just."
Punzel nods sympathetically.
Punzel asks, "Like the Watch?"
Artegal says, "Perhaps... perhaps that is why the Watch appeals
to my sense of duty."
Punzel nods approvingly.
Artegal glances at floor sadly.
Punzel sniffs.
Artegal says, "I was forced to be away from my family, from
those I loved during these wars."
Punzel smiles consolingly at Artegal.
Artegal says, "I recall many long days and nights in the
saddle, and thinking of them in our tents."
Punzel nods sympathetically.
Punzel glances admiringly at Artegal.
Artegal glances wearily at Punzel.
Artegal says, "Of my family, the one I recall most vividly is my son."
Punzel nods.
Artegal says, "I could not teach him to hunt or to wield the
blade or to ride because I was away for so long. But I found
wonders whereever I went, and I collected these to bring back
to him, to my family. And it gave the me the strength that I
needed to keep riding on to the next battle and the next."
Punzel smiles admiringly.
Artegal says, "My last memory was of a homecoming. And the
joy--how my heart leapt up when I saw him again for the first
time in a long while."
Artegal glances.
Punzel nods.
Artegal says slowly to Punzel, "But... I cannot remember... no
matter how hard I try..."
Punzel nods sympathetically.
Artegal says, "To recall whether it was our last homecoming. Or
if I ever saw him again."
Punzel nods sadly.
Artegal says, "For the past weeks that I have been here, I
awaken and that burning question sends me into furies and
despairs. I believe that it drives me to the Watch to seek that
which was once familiar."
Punzel nods admiringly.
Artegal crosses his arms.
Artegal sighs.
Punzel comfortingly pats Artegal.
Punzel smiles sympathetically at Artegal.
Artegal smiles at Punzel, "Thank you, but I do not know if I have
made you feel better or I worse."
Punzel smiles gratefully, "Thank you for sharing your memories
with me, ser. I am honored."
Punzel asks hesitantly, "Would you mind if I did write a poem
about you and your son?"
Punzel glances shyly at Artegal.
Artegal says, "A poem--er, well. I know not of such things."
Artegal says, "But if you think it meet subject, I am sure that
it would be an honor."
Punzel smiles encouragingly, "I need not mention your name, ser
... but poems do help me make sense of my life here."
Punzel nods gratefully.
Punzel sniffs.
Artegal nods, "We all need some connection, since we seem to be
without any comforts of home or family here."
Punzel nods sympathetically.
Punzel asks, "Are you joining the Winter Watch, ser?"
Punzel continues admiringly, "You do seem most suited to it by
personality."
Artegal turns to Punzel.
Artegal says, "I think that I may."
Punzel nods gladly.
Artegal says, "I was walking about the castle to make my mind
up about that very thing."
Punzel says, "I do wish you all good luck in that endeavor, ser.
I do most highly respect Watchman Philo."
Punzel nods.
Artegal says, "And it appears that you have helped me in that
decision."
Punzel smiles happily.
Artegal smiles, "Watchman Philo seems to be a good sort."
Punzel nods.
Punzel says, "As are you, ser."
Punzel blushes.
Artegal asks, "Will you be all right? I think that I shall be
going to see if I can locate Corporal Petris."
Punzel nods to Artegal, "Yes, ser. I do thank you so much."
Punzel smiles and nods gratefully.
Punzel brushes his cap and cloak.
Artegal says, "Be strong, young Ser. I believe that you shall
make an excellent poet, even though I am probably not a good
judge of such things."
Punzel smiles gratefully at Artegal, "And I believe you will make
an excellent Watchman. I do trust you, ser."
Artegal bows to Punzel, "I will never abuse such trust. Good day,
friend Punzel."
Punzel bows awkwardly, "Good day, ser."
Punzel smiles.
Artegal smiles.
Artegal leaves through the door in the northwest corner.
Punzel moves from a ladder down to the stable to a huge hay pile.
Punzel sits down on a huge hay pile.
[time passes]
Elinore shimmers into view.
Punzel gasps.
Elinore gazes silently.
Elinore says, "..."
Punzel stares at Elinore.
Elinore is a willowy woman with a widow's peak of wavy
white-blonde hair, long and uncombed, and pale skin. She is
wearing a bunch of linen wrappings.
Elinore smiles sadly.
Elinore fades from view.
Punzel gasps.
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